I'M BEAR GRYLLS. WHOO!
I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE
FROM SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES ON EARTH.
I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH A WEEK OF CHALLENGES...
IN THE SORT OF PLACES YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY
WITHOUT THE RIGHT SURVIVAL SKILLS.
THIS WEEK, I'M OFF THE WEST COAST OF PANAMA
AT THE MERCY OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
WE'LL BE GETTING TOO CLOSE TO COMFORT WITH THE LOCALS...
HOLY SMOKE! LOOK, LOOK, LOOK, LOOK!
WHALES! WHALES!
...FIGHTING MY WAY ONTO STORM-BATTERED ISLANDS...
...AND STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT ON A SMALL RAFT
AS I BATTLE THROUGH BIG SURF.
WHOA!
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
ONLY THIS MORNING, ALL OF THE ISLANDS IN THIS REGION
WERE HIT BY A GREAT, VIOLENT, TROPICAL CYCLONIC STORM.
WE GOT A VERY SMALL WINDOW TO GET IN THERE.
WE NEED TO MOVE.
ALL RIGHT.
THE PILOT'S GONNA TAKE ME OUT TO SEA AND DITCH ME
SO I CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE IT BACK TO SAFETY
IF YOU GOT MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND.
TO THE EAST OF THESE ISLANDS LIES PANAMA,
TO THE WEST, THE VAST PACIFIC,
THOUSANDS OF SQUARE MILES OF EMPTY OCEAN.
ONLY A TINY HANDFUL OF THESE ISLANDS ARE INHABITED.
THE MAIN REASON FOR THAT
IS THE LACK OF FRESH DRINKING WATER.
JUST STAYING HYDRATED IS GONNA BE A MAJOR CHALLENGE
IN THIS HEAT AND HUMIDITY.
THE WEATHER CAN CHANGE FAST HERE.
THE PILOT'S HEARD THE WEATHER FRONT IS CLOSING IN AGAIN.
TIME FOR A CHANGE OF PLAN.
WITH ALL THESE TROPICAL STORMS AROUND,
THE PILOT'S NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES WITH THE ISLAND.
INSTEAD, HE'S GONNA DUMP ME ON THAT SANDBAR,
AND I'M GONNA TAKE MY OWN CHANCES FROM THERE.
HE CAN'T SPEND LONG HERE.
THE ROTOR WASH CAN BLOW LOOSE SAND
UP INTO THE AIR INTAKES AND THE ENGINE -- NOT GOOD NEWS.
WE'RE 10 FOOT UP. TIME TO GO.
WELL, THAT'S THE HELI OUT OF HERE,
BUT, MAN, THIS IS SOME PLACE TO BE DROPPED,
JUST ON A SANDBAR WITH THE TIDE RISING.
WE NEED TO GET OFF THIS, GET ONTO THE ISLAND.
SOON THIS SANDBAR WILL BE ENGULFED BY WATER.
THERE'S AN ISLAND TWO MILES TO THE EAST.
TO SWIM TO THAT WOULD TAKE MOST PEOPLE OVER AN HOUR AND A HALF.
A TOUGH SWIM, BUT IT'LL BE YOUR ONLY OPTION.
IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION
LIES THOUSANDS OF MILES OF EMPTY OCEAN.
OKAY. TIME TO GO SWIMMING.
ONCE I'M THROUGH THE SURF, IT'S OUT INTO THE OPEN WATER.
TIGER, BULL, AND GREAT WHITE SHARKS PROWL THESE WATERS.
YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH ANY OF THEM.
HOLY SMOKE! LOOK, LOOK, LOOK, LOOK!
WHALES! WHALES!
THERE'S A MASSIVE HUMPBACK IN THE WATER WITH US --
20 YARDS.
THESE GUYS ARE HUGE, AND THEY GROW UP TO 40 FOOT.
I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ACTUALLY THIS CLOSE.
I CAN ACTUALLY SEE THEM -- VERY, VERY FUN AND ALL
BEING IN THE WATER WITH MAMMALS THAT BIG AND THAT CLOSE.
JUST BEAUTIFUL.
WHAT A PRIVILEGE.
NEAR THE ISLAND, THE SEA STATE CHANGES.
AS THE WATER IS FUNNELED AND PRESSURED BY THE LAND,
STRONG CURRENTS FORM.
IT'S A BATTLE TO STAY ON COURSE.
WE WENT THROUGH THAT CURRENT LINE,
BUT THE CHALLENGE NOW IS ALL THIS SWELL ON THE ROCKS.
I JUST WANT TO GET INTO THIS GULLY.
JUST WATCH YOURSELF. LET ME GET OUT FIRST.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
WHEN YOU'RE FACED WITH A FIVE-FOOT SWELL.
THESE ROCKS ARE BONE-BREAKERS.
OKAY. STEP UP.
YEAH. THAT'S IT.
UP, UP, UP.
COOL.
I MAY HAVE REACHED DRY LAND, BUT I'M SEA-LOCKED
BY A 60-FOOT WALL OF SOLID ROCK.
I GOT TO FIND A WAY UP.
THIS MIGHT BE POSSIBLE. SHALL WE GET UP THIS?
THESE ISLANDS WERE FORMED
WHEN TWO TECTONIC PLATES COLLIDED
OVER 1 1/2 MILLION YEARS AGO.
THE SEABED WAS LITERALLY FORCED UP OUT OF THE OCEAN
TO FORM THIS ARCHIPELAGO.
THE SEDIMENTARY LIMESTONE MAKES FOR A CHALLENGING ASCENT.
IT'S -- IT'S HORRIBLE.
MAN, IT'S A LAYER UPON LAYER
OF CRUMBLING ROCK,
BIRD POO, AND BONE-DRY DIRT.
NIGHTMARE.
I MEAN, IT'S JUST LIKE THIS. YOU THINK IT'S SOLID.
OKAY. LET'S GET INTO THIS.
THE FIRST PRIORITY IS TO CROSS THE ISLAND.
THE FAR SHORE FACES EAST TOWARDS PANAMA.
ONLY ONCE YOU KNOW WHAT LIES BEYOND
CAN YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT MOVE.
AFTER FIVE MINUTES, I'M ACROSS.
JUST NOTHING AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE.
QUITE AN INTIMIDATING SIGHT WHEN YOU SEE THAT MUCH OCEAN.
WITH NO SIGN OF LAND AND NO CHANCE OF IMMEDIATE RESCUE,
YOU NEED TO SEARCH YOUR ISLAND FOR RESOURCES --
ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP YOU STAY ALIVE
AND HELP YOU TO ESCAPE.
THERE'S A BEACH BELOW.
IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO START THE SEARCH.
JUST SEE HOW DRY ALL THIS IS.
BUT THERE'S ALSO THIS ROCK.
IT'S POROUS, WHICH MEANS WHEN IT RAINS,
IT'S JUST GONNA RUN STRAIGHT THROUGH IT AND NOT COLLECT.
AND THAT'S WHY FINDING FRESHWATER
IS GONNA BE SO HARD HERE.
OKAY, LET'S GET DOWN TO THE BEACH,
SEE WHAT WE FIND DOWN THERE.
DEAD BOOBY -- IT STINKS.
WELL, THERE'S NOTHING ON HERE REALLY FOR ME.
MIGHT TAKE THE HEAD --
MIGHT BE ABLE TO USE THAT, ACTUALLY.
BEACHES ARE RICH HUNTING GROUNDS.
HEY, LOOK, YOU SEE WHAT ALL THE TIDE'S WASHED UP HERE.
WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD,
YOU'LL OFTEN FIND SIGNS OF HUMAN GARBAGE.
LOOK, SEE ALL OF THIS RUBBISH?
THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF I CAN USE HERE --
FISHING NETS, PLASTIC BOTTLES, AND DRIFTWOOD.
IT'S A TREASURE TROVE.
WHAT'LL HAPPEN -- THE TIDE WILL JUST WASH ALL OF THIS UP,
AND THEN AS IT GOES OUT, IT LEAVES IT ALL.
THERE'S JUST MASSES OF IT.
ONE MAN'S GARBAGE CAN BE ANOTHER MAN'S SALVATION.
ALL THIS DRIFTWOOD AND PIECES OF POLYSTYRENE
ARE IDEAL RAFT-BUILDING MATERIALS.
LOADS OF THESE FLIPS-FLOPS AROUND.
AND, ACTUALLY, THESE BURN REALLY WELL.
AND BEFORE I GET INTO ANY OF THIS,
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I CAN DO
IS ACTUALLY BUILD A SIGNAL FIRE TO GO UP ON THE CLIFFS,
YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE IF A SHIP DOES COME PAST,
THOSE ARE PRECIOUS SECONDS.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO LIGHT A FIRE
AND MAKE MYSELF SEEN AS QUICKLY AS I CAN.
GETTING YOUR SIGNAL FIRE READY TO LIGHT
AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE IS CRITICAL.
A PHRASE I OFTEN USE IS PLEASE REMEMBER WHAT'S FIRST.
THIS STANDS FOR PROTECTION, RESCUE, WATER, AND FOOD.
NOW THAT I'M ASHORE SAFELY, THE NEXT PRIORITY IS
TO MAXIMIZE THE CHANCE OF RESCUE.
ANY OF THESE WILL DO.
YOU JUST NEED A GOOD, STRAIGHT BRANCH
TO MAKE A TRIPOD FOR THE SIGNAL FIRE.
OKAY. LET'S GET THIS THING BUILT.
THIS IS PROBABLY ABOUT THE MOST VISIBLE POINT ON THE ISLAND
UP HERE.
I'LL TRY AND MAKE IT HERE --
A GOOD VIEW ALL THE WAY OUT TO SEA.
OKAY.
FIRST JOB, THE TRIPOD --
THEN BUILD A PLATFORM AT THE BOTTOM
AND COVER IT WITH DRIED GRASS WHICH WILL LIGHT FAST.
AND THESE FLIP-FLOPS MAKE A LOAD OF BLACK SMOKE,
AND BLACK SMOKE IS GONNA STAND OUT
BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD CONTRAST AND LOOKS VERY UNNATURAL.
THEY'RE NOT GONNA MISTAKE THAT FOR A BUSH FIRE.
ONCE THE FIRE IS BUILT, MAKE A TORCH TO LIGHT IT.
THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT A TORCH
IS THAT WHEN YOU WANT IT TO LIGHT,
IT GOES STRAIGHT AWAY FIRST TIME.
AND ALL OF THIS IS JUST DRY BANANA HUSK.
REALLY ROUGH IT UP,
SO IT'S NICE AND FIBROUS AND WILL TAKE A SPARK.
RAINS COME FAST AND HEAVY HERE.
IF THE GRASS GETS A SOAKING, IT WILL NEVER LIGHT,
SO COVER IT TO KEEP THE WATER OUT.
BANANA LEAVES ARE PERFECT.
OKAY, THAT WILL DO IT.
HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL STAY DRY,
AND WHEN I NEED IT ALIGHT, WHIP IT AWAY, GET IT GOING.
IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE, THERE'S A PRIZE WORTH FIGHTING FOR --
A LARGE ROPE BEACHED IN A STEEP GULLY.
THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY DOWN BUT NO WAY BACK.
LET'S GIVE IT A GO.
I'M ON A PACIFIC ISLAND WEST OF PANAMA.
SURROUNDED BY MILES OF OPEN WATER,
IF YOU ARE STUCK HERE,
YOU'LL BE FACED WITH A STARK CHOICE.
LOT OF HARSH DECISIONS FOR THE SURVIVOR TO MAKE.
IT'S JUST WHETHER TO STAY OR WHETHER TO GO,
ON AN ISLAND LIKE THIS.
BUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS YOU MAKE THESE DECISIONS
WHILE YOU'RE FEELING STRONG, WHILE YOU'RE THINKING CLEARLY,
YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS --
IF YOU THINK OF THIS AS YOUR HEALTH
AND THIS LINE AS TIME,
YOU'RE GONNA START OFF FEELING STRONG,
BUT AS YOU DEHYDRATE, YOU DON'T GET ENOUGH FOOD,
YOU DON'T GET ENOUGH NUTRIENTS,
EVENTUALLY YOU'RE GONNA REACH A POINT HERE
WHERE YOU'RE DETERIORATING FAST.
ONCE YOU REACH THAT POINT, THIS ISLAND BECOMES YOUR PRISON.
SO WHAT MATTERS IS MAKE ALL YOUR BIG DECISIONS
UP THIS END OF THE CURVE,
WHERE YOU'RE FEELING MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY STRONG.
ULTIMATELY I PLAN TO BUILD A RAFT,
BUT BEFORE SETTING OUT TO SEA, YOU NEED SUPPLIES.
I'M GONNA SEARCH THE ISLAND
TO STOCKPILE FOOD AND, ABOVE ALL, WATER.
NOW, ACTUALLY, LOOK.
YOU SEE THERE'S WATER COMING DOWN THERE --
ALL THESE DRIPS.
MMM. THAT'S FRESH, AS WELL.
SO EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS BONE-DRY UP HERE,
WATER IS GONNA SEEP THROUGH THE ROCK,
AND IT'S COMING OUT OF HERE.
AND WHEN YOU'VE GOT AS LITTLE FRESHWATER
AS THERE IS ON THIS ISLAND, EVERY LITTLE DROP IS PRECIOUS.
GARBAGE FROM THE BEACH WILL ENABLE ME TO COLLECT IT.
WHAT YOU GOT TO DO IS PUT A KNOT IN THAT END
TO HOLD IT IN THERE,
AND THEN JUST MAKE A BIG CLUSTER OF KNOTS ON THIS END.
AND WHAT YOU WANT IS JUST TO BE ABLE TO SQUEEZE IT
INTO THE FUNNEL RIGHT THERE,
AND THEN WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN
IS THAT THE WATER IS GONNA DRIP OFF THE SEEP,
DOWN THE LINE, AND THEN INTO THE BOTTLE.
AND IT'S NOT GONNA BE FAST,
BUT, YOU KNOW, OVER A DAY, THAT'S GONNA FILL UP.
AND THAT ACTUALLY, YOU SEE THAT STARTING TO WORK ALREADY.
SEE WHERE IT'S JUST GOING DARKER AT THE TOP,
AND THAT'S SLOWLY SEEPING ITS WAY DOWN THE LINE.
ADULTS NEED THREE LITERS OF FLUID A DAY.
DRINK LESS, AND YOUR HEALTH CAN DETERIORATE,
WITH IT YOUR ABILITY
TO THINK STRAIGHT AND MAKE RATIONAL DECISIONS.
A LOT OF THE SEAS HERE
ARE JUST TEEMING, TEEMING WITH FISH.
IF YOU CAN GET THEM, IT'S GOOD PROTEIN.
I'M GONNA TRY MY HAND AT A BIT OF SPEAR-FISHING.
I'VE GOT THIS BOOBY SKULL THAT I FOUND,
AND ALL I NEED DO IS FIX THAT TO THE END.
IT MAKES A GOOD, NATURAL THREE-PRONGED SPEAR.
PLATTED BANANA HUSK MAKES EXCELLENT CORDAGE.
ONCE YOU'RE DONE, LASH IT ALL TOGETHER.
AND LOOK -- THEN YOU GOT A NICE THREE-PRONGED SPEAR THERE.
AND IT'S ACTUALLY HOW THE BIRDS THEMSELVES HUNT.
THEY DIVE, SPEAR THE FISH, AND PULL THEM OUT.
GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM, GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.
LET'S GIVE IT A GO.
THE SHORE IS LITTERED WITH DEEP POOLS.
IF I CAN LURE SOME FISH INTO ONE,
IT'LL BE THE IDEAL HUNTING GROUND.
BUT I NEED BAIT, AND THIS CRAB IS EASY PICKINGS.
COME HERE.
IT'S GONNA BE USEFUL.
GET SOME OF THESE CRAB INNARDS INTO THIS POOL.
AND THAT'S GONNA BE A NICE PLACE JUST FOR FISH TO COME IN,
HOPEFULLY HAVE A BIT OF A MUNCH ON THIS,
AND THEN I CAN TRY AND DIVE ON TOP OF THEM.
THEY'RE GONNA LOVE ALL OF THIS STUFF.
THE FISH ARE DEEP, BUT I'M GONNA TRY A TECHNIQUE
USED BY HUNTERS OF THE KANAK ISLANDS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC.
WHAT THE KANAK ISLANDERS DO IS THEY DIVE IN WITH THEIR SPEAR,
GET THEIR LEGS RIGHT UP BEHIND THEM,
SO THE FIRST THING THAT ENTERS THE WATER IS THE SPEAR.
AND THAT GIVES THE MOST FORCE
AND MEANS THEY CAN GO FOR BIGGER FISH.
THERE HE IS. LOOK, YOU SEE HIM TAKING A BIT OF THE CRAB.
WOW, THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE.
THERE'S LOADS DOWN HERE.
OKAY, LEGS RIGHT UP.
GOD. HEAVY.
HERE, LET ME GET HIM UP TO YOU.
IT'S A TRIGGERFISH.
LET'S FINISH HIM OFF. HANG ON.
WHOA.
ONE TRIGGERFISH.
COOL.
MAN, LOOK AT THE TEETH ON THAT THING.
THEY'RE ALMOST HUMAN.
BUT THE REASON THEY'RE SO BIG AND STRONG
IS THIS GUY FEEDS OFF CORAL,
JUST USES THOSE TEETH TO MUNCH THROUGH IT.
AND THEN THIS BIT ON THE TOP, THE TRIGGER --
IF IT'S THREATENED, THAT WILL GO UP,
AND IT ACTS AS LIKE A BARB
TO STOP ANY BIGGER FISH TRYING TO SWALLOW IT.
BUT, ACTUALLY, IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT A LOT OF DRINKING WATER,
ONE OF THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN EAT FROM A FISH IS THE EYEBALL.
IT'S GOT MASSES OF FLUID IN IT.
WELL, THERE YOU GO. SEE THAT?
IT LOOKS PRETTY HORRIBLE,
BUT REALLY NUTRITIOUS AND LOTS OF GOOD FLUIDS IN IT.
DIFFICULT TO CHEW ON IT --
IT SLIDES FROM ONE SIDE OF YOUR MOUTH TO THE OTHER...
...LIKE A SALTY...
CHEWY MARBLE.
LET'S GET HIM GUTTED.
I'M SAVING THE MEAT FOR LATER.
I'LL NEED FIRE TONIGHT,
AND THIS IS GONNA BE A SUBSTANTIAL MEAL.
TO SURVIVE HERE, YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO REST FOR A MINUTE.
THE HUNT FOR RESOURCES NEVER ENDS.
MY WATER TRAPS ARE WORKING.
TIME TO GRAB A DRINK, THEN CONTINUE THE SEARCH.
JUST NORTH OF MY BEACH, THE LAND RISES SHARPLY.
A BIG DROP-OFF.
I THINK I'LL BACK UP A BIT.
LOOK, THERE'S A SHIP'S ROPE DOWN THERE.
SEE THAT ON THE SURF?
IF I CAN GET THAT, THAT'LL BE SO USEFUL.
HANG ON. THIS IS GONNA BE A NIGHTMARE TO GET DOWN.
ON THIS LOOSE, STEEP ROCK, IT'S TOO RISKY TO FREE-CLIMB.
THE OLD NETTING I FOUND ON THE BEACH COULD BE THE ANSWER.
AH, IT'S GONNA BE PERFECT.
I WANT TO GET THIS DONE QUICKLY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT ROPE'S GONNA STAY.
LOOK AT IT. IT'S GETTING WASHED OUT IN THE SURF.
I NEED TO MOVE.
AND WHAT I'M GONNA DO HERE IS PUT A CLOVE HITCH --
AROUND ITSELF, OVER THE TOP,
AND UNDER.
AGAIN, IT'S ALL SO LOOSE.
OKAY, TIME TO PUT THE WEIGHT ON IT.
WELL, THIS IS HOLDING QUITE NICELY.
I'M AT THE LIMIT OF THIS NOW.
THE ONLY PROBLEM IS
IS WHEN I'M GONNA GET BACK UP ONCE I LET THIS GO.
THE NETTING HAS GOT ME MOST OF THE WAY DOWN.
LET'S GIVE IT A GO.
GETTING BACK UP IS GONNA BE MUCH HARDER.
WELL, LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS.
A SERIOUS OIL TANKER OR SOMETHING THAT WOULD USE IT,
BUT ONE THICK STRAND
PROBABLY MEANS ABOUT 500 LITTLE STRANDS.
BUT IT WEIGHS A TON.
THERE'S NO WAY I'M GONNA DRAG THIS BACK UP THERE.
LET'S SEE IF IT FLOATS, AND I'LL SWIM AROUND.
YEAH, IT'S FLOATING.
OKAY, I'LL MEET YOU AROUND THE CORNER. I'M GONNA SWIM IT.
SUCCESSFUL ISLAND SURVIVAL INVOLVES A DAILY ROUTINE
OF FINDING FOOD, WATER, AND PLANNING YOUR ESCAPE OR RESCUE.
THE DOWNSIDE IS WHEN OPPORTUNITIES COME,
YOU CAN BE IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME.
THERE'S SOMETHING ON THE HORIZON.
SEE IT? LET'S GET TO THE BEACH. COME ON.
I'M ON A DESERTED ISLAND. THERE'S A BOAT ON THE HORIZON.
I GOT TO GET ASHORE AND LIGHT MY SIGNAL FIRE.
GET THIS ROPE UP THE BEACH.
IT'S A RACE AGAINST TIME.
LOOK, THERE YOU GO, ON THE HORIZON.
SEE IT? IT'S A MAST.
OKAY, LET'S GET ON THE HILL, GET THE SIGNAL FIRE LIT.
EVERY SECOND HERE IS VALUABLE TO THE SURVIVOR.
GO ON, GET LIT. HERE WE GO. OKAY.
HEY! HEY!
THE FLIP-FLOPS ARE BEGINNING TO KICK IN NOW --
A BIT OF THE BLACK SMOKE.
HEY! HEY!
ON A CALM DAY, THE HUMAN VOICE CAN BE HEARD
OVER 10 MILES AWAY OVER WATER, BUT NOT TODAY.
THE PROBLEM IS THE WIND'S BLOWING THIS WAY,
AND THAT'S GONNA MEAN MY SOUND'S NOT GONNA CARRY FAR,
DEFINITELY NOT FAR ENOUGH FOR THEM.
AND I GUESS FOR THE SURVIVOR
TO EXPERIENCE DISAPPOINTMENT LIKE THAT,
SEEING WHAT YOU HOPE IS GONNA BE RESCUE,
TO SEE THAT DISAPPEAR, THAT MUST BE SO HARD.
AND THEN IT JUST BECOMES THIS BATTLE
TO KEEP YOUR HOPE AND YOUR SPIRITS HIGH.
AND THAT'S WHY THEY SAY THE REAL BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL
IS ACTUALLY IN YOUR MIND AND IN YOUR HEART.
SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE UNDER THE TREE.
DARKNESS IS CLOSING IN.
I WANT TO FIND SOMEWHERE TO SHELTER FOR THE NIGHT.
YOU KNOW, THIS WOULDN'T BE A BAD PLACE,
ACTUALLY, FOR A SHELTER UP HERE.
I DON'T WANT TO BE DOWN ON THE BEACH
WITH ALL THE SAND FLIES AND THE CRABS.
ALSO THE TIDE COMES RIGHT UP THERE.
BUT HERE YOU GOT FULL VISIBILITY OUT TO SEA
AND ALSO THAT NICE SEA BREEZE.
WHEW.
USING THE OLD FISHING NET I FOUND,
I CAN MAKE A HAMMOCK,
A GREAT WAY TO GET OFF THE GROUND
AND AWAY FROM ALL THE BUGS.
USE A COUPLE OF STICKS AS SPREADERS AT EACH END,
THEN TIE IT TO A STURDY TREE TRUNK WITH STRING.
THIS STUFF'S OLD, BUT IT SHOULD DO THE TRICK.
AND THEN GIVE THIS A TRY. UP!
UGH!
MORE STRING?
BETTER TO HAPPEN NOW THAN AT 3:00 A.M. IN THE MORNING.
OKAY, TRY A BIT OF THICKER STRING.
LET'S HOPE IT'LL BE LESS SALT-ERODED.
HOPEFULLY.
PERFECT.
NOW I NEED COVER FROM THE RAIN.
A SIMPLE A-FRAME IS JUST THE JOB.
AND THEN ON TO THIS,
AND DRAPE A LOAD OF BANANA LEAVES AS A THATCHING.
ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS NICK THEM,
AND THEN WE'LL JUST DRAPE IT OVER THE TOP.
VERY QUICKLY, YOU CAN BUILD UP A GOOD COVERING LAYER.
AND THEN IF IT DOES RAIN,
I ALSO WANT TO BE ABLE TO COLLECT THAT WATER,
AND JUST USE ANOTHER OF THESE BANANA LEAVES FOR THAT.
YOU CAN SEE THAT'S A REALLY NICE, NATURAL FUNNEL
ALL THE WAY DOWN, AND THIS WILL FILL UP
IN LIKE A MINUTE IF IT'S A TORRENTIAL RAIN.
OKAY, GOOD JOB.
NIGHT FALLS FAST HERE.
WE'RE JUST 500 MILES NORTH OF THE EQUATOR,
WHERE THE SUN RISES AND FALLS VERTICALLY.
WITH THE DARKNESS COMES RAIN.
A ROARING FIRE WILL KEEP ME WARM
AND ALLOW ME TO COOK MY TRIGGERFISH.
FIRE, FOOD, AND SHELTER ARE VITAL,
BUT THE SURVIVOR NEEDS SOMETHING ELSE
WHICH DRIVES HIM TO MAKE IT OUT ALIVE.
FOR ME, I ALWAYS KIND OF THINK OF IT
AS THE THREE F's --
MY FAMILY, THE FAITH,
AND OF GOOD FRIENDS.
AND ULTIMATELY IT'S ALL ABOUT KEEPING
YOUR HOPE AND YOUR SPIRITS HIGH,
AND THAT'S WHAT DOES IT FOR ME.
YOW!
AS A NEW DAY DAWNS, I CONTINUE TO HUNT FOR FOOD...
WHOO!
I GOT AN OYSTER.
...AND WATER.
SOON I'M GONNA LEAVE THIS ISLAND,
AND EVERY LAST DROP WILL COUNT.
I'M ON A DESERT ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF PANAMA.
THE RAINS CAME LAST NIGHT,
AND THE BANANA-LEAF WATER TRAP HAS WORKED.
AT LEAST I'VE GOT A DECENT SUPPLY NOW OF FRESHWATER.
YOU LOSE SEVERAL LITERS OF FLUID A DAY
THROUGH BREATH, SWEAT, AND PEE.
I'LL NEED MORE WATER BEFORE I SET OUT TO SEA.
THESE SORT OF ROCK GULLIES -- THEY'RE OFTEN GOOD PLACES
TO TRY AND FREE-DIVE FOR CONCH, OYSTER.
THERE'S QUITE A LOT OF SWELL HERE, BUT THEY LIKE THAT.
THEY LIKE THAT MOVEMENT OF THE WATER OVER THEM.
OKAY, LET'S TRY A BIT OF THIS.
YOW!
THE OYSTERS ARE DEEP AND WELL HIDDEN.
YOU CAN TRAIN YOUR BODY TO STAY DOWN LONGER
BY SPENDING A MINUTE UNDER THE WATER
FOLLOWED BY A MINUTE ON THE SURFACE.
THAT WAY YOU FLUSH OUT ALL THE CARBON DIOXIDE
WHICH IS YOUR BODY'S TRIGGER TO BREATHE.
GRABBING A ROCK IS A GOOD WAY
TO COUNTERACT YOUR BODY'S NATURAL BUOYANCY.
WHOO!
HARD TO SEE WITHOUT A MASK.
GET MY BREATH BACK.
WHOO!
I GOT AN OYSTER.
IT'S NOT THE TRADITIONAL -- TRADITIONAL DOZEN OYSTERS,
BUT IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING.
COME ON. LET'S GET IT TO SHORE.
THERE WE GO. THAT'S IT, OPEN.
AND THESE ARE ALL THE GUTS -- THE BIT YOU DON'T WANT.
PACKED WITH PROTEINS AND MINERALS,
OYSTERS ARE THE PERFECT SURVIVAL FOOD,
AND THERE'S AN ALMOST ENDLESS SUPPLY.
IT'D BE NICER SHARING IT
WITH THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE AND A GLASS OF WINE,
BUT OUT HERE, IT'S AS GOOD AS I'M GONNA GET.
I FOUND SEVERAL SOURCES OF WATER ON THE ISLAND,
BUT I STILL NEED MORE.
I'M SURROUNDED ON ALL SIDES BY SEAWATER, BUT I CAN'T DRINK IT.
THE SALT FRIES YOUR KIDNEYS,
DEHYDRATES YOU, AND ULTIMATELY KILLS YOU.
IF YOU THINK CUNNINGLY, THERE IS ACTUALLY WAYS
OF GETTING FRESHWATER FROM SALT WATER.
IF YOU BOIL SEAWATER AND COLLECT THE STEAM,
THAT WILL BE DRINKABLE.
AS THE SALT WATER BOILS,
THE STEAM GOES UP, CONDENSES, DRIPS DOWN,
AND COMES OUT OF THIS LITTLE HOLE.
FIRES ARE NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT TO START BY THE SEA
BECAUSE OF ALL THE HUMIDITY IN THE AIR.
SALT-SOAKED WOOD WON'T LIGHT,
BUT DRY BANANA HUSK WILL TAKE A SPARK.
OKAY, LET'S GET THIS ON.
THE STILL WILL TAKE A WHILE TO WORK,
WHICH LEAVES ME TIME TO CONTEMPLATE MY NEXT MOVE.
I GUESS THE CHOICE IS PRETTY STARK.
YOU KNOW, DO YOU STAY HERE AND WAIT FOR RESCUE,
OR DO YOU GO, TAKE YOUR CHANCES ON THE OPEN SEA,
BUT RISK DEATH?
BUT I GUESS I KNOW WHAT I'D DO.
BUT THERE'S NO GUARANTEE RESCUE WILL COME,
AND WITH SUCH LITTLE WATER HERE,
YOUR HEALTH WILL START TO DECLINE RAPIDLY.
GIVEN THAT CHOICE, I'D BUILD A RAFT AND SET SAIL.
DRIFTWOOD FROM THE BEACH IS IDEAL.
AND THEN FOR ALL OF THE LASHING,
I'M JUST GONNA USE THE SHIPPING ROPE.
THE KEY ELEMENT TO SEA SURVIVAL IS STAYING DRY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS RAFT KEEPS ME UP OUT OF THE WATER.
USE THESE AS CROSS STRUTS --
ONE THERE AND ANOTHER HERE.
IT MEANS I CAN THEN BUILD ANOTHER LAYER ON TOP OF THIS,
BUT WITH A BIT OF A GAP,
AND INTO THAT GAP I CAN FORCE
ALL OF THE POLYSTYRENE AND THE BOTTLES
THAT'S BEEN WASHED UP IN THIS GULLY.
FILL THE GAP AS TIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE WITH POLYSTYRENE.
THEN COVER IT WITH ANOTHER LAYERED OF DRIFTWOOD,
AND TIE IT ALL DOWN AS TIGHT AS YOU CAN.
AND THEN ALL I NEED IS A GOOD A-FRAME AT THE BACK
TO PUT A TILLER THROUGH.
A REALLY GOOD, LONG LENGTH OF TILLER POLE HERE
GONNA MAKE PADDLING MUCH MORE EFFICIENT --
I CAN REALLY PUT MY WEIGHT INTO IT THEN.
ALL I NEED IS TO ATTACH THIS BIT TO THE END.
OKAY, THAT WILL DO.
BEFORE I LAUNCH,
I WANT TO COLLECT THE WATER FROM MY STILL.
IT'S NOT MUCH, BUT TOGETHER WITH MY OTHER WATER TRAPS,
I'VE GOT SIX LITERS.
NOW TO SET SAIL EAST TOWARDS PANAMA.
WELL, I'M ABOUT AS PREPARED AS I CAN BE ON THIS.
YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT A GOOD, STURDY RAFT.
I'VE GOT A MEANS OF STEERING IT WITH THIS TILLER.
I GOT WATER, AND I GOT THESE FENDERS
TO GIVE A BIT OF STABILITY ON THE EDGE.
BUT ULTIMATELY THERE COMES A TIME
WHERE YOU JUST GOT TO COMMIT TO IT,
SUMMON UP A LITTLE BIT OF BOTTLE,
AND THEN JUST GO FOR IT.
AND IT'S A BIT LIKE SKYDIVING, YOU KNOW.
THERE'S ONLY SO MANY TIMES YOU CAN CHECK YOUR PARACHUTE.
ULTIMATELY, YOU GOT TO OPEN THAT DOOR AND JUMP.
I'M IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN,
AND I'VE JUST SET SAIL EAST TOWARDS PANAMA.
NOW THE SANCTUARY OF MY ISLAND IS FADING
AS I SLOWLY DRIFT AWAY.
WELL, WE GOT AWAY FROM THE ISLAND.
THE REALITY IS, ONCE YOU SET SAIL,
THERE'S NO GOING BACK.
YOU KNOW, REALLY YOU'RE THEN AT THE MERCY
OF JUST ALL THE TIDES AND THE CURRENTS
THAT RIP AROUND THIS ISLAND.
KIND OF A ONE-WAY TICKET, YOU KNOW?
NOW I'M OUT IN THE OPEN SEA.
I'M EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS,
AND IT MAKES YOU FEEL VERY, VERY VULNERABLE.
HERE COMES THE SUN AGAIN.
IT'S BEEN BEHIND THE CLOUDS FOR THE LAST HOUR.
IT'S BEEN BLISS.
SOON AS IT COMES OUT, IT'S JUST BLISTERING.
OKAY. LET'S GET THIS UP.
WHEW.
ALL THIS CRISSCROSS NETTING OVERLAPPED
JUST MAKES ALL THE SUNLIGHT DAPPLE
AND TAKES THE MAIN BRUNT OF IT AWAY.
BUT A MIDDAY LIKE THIS WITHOUT ANY SORT OF SHADE,
YOU'RE TOAST.
THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE.
UNDER THIS BURNING SUN,
STAYING HYDRATED AT SEA IS A SURVIVOR'S BIGGEST CHALLENGE,
BUT A SMALL ROCK AHEAD
OFFERS ME A CHANCE TO REPLENISH SUPPLIES.
THE CURRENT IS DRAGGING ME STRAIGHT TOWARDS IT.
KIND OF HALF TEMPTED JUST TO SEE
IF I CAN HAVE A QUICK LOOK AROUND
AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY FRESHWATER ON THERE
OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT CAN HELP ME.
THERE'S A BIG SWELL AROUND THE ISLAND.
TIMING WILL BE EVERYTHING.
WITH MY RAFT TETHERED,
I CAN HEAD UP AND SEE WHAT'S ON HERE.
JUST A STINKING, FETID,
HORRIBLE BLOCK OF ROCK
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA,
STINKING OF ALL OF THIS GUANO,
BIRD POOP, AND ALL OF THESE CACTUS.
LOOK, YOU SEE THAT'S IT'S COVERED IN IT.
I CAN HARDLY BREATHE, THIS PLACE STINKS SO MUCH.
BUT THE RAFT'S HOLDING. LET'S GET UP THIS THING.
SCAN THE HORIZON A BIT HERE FROM RIGHT UP THIS ROCK.
WELL, THIS IS ONE OF THESE PLACES
YOU NEVER REALLY EVEN IMAGINE EXISTS...
AND YOU CERTAINLY NEVER WANT TO COME TO AGAIN.
THERE'S SOME BOOBY EGGS.
SEE THESE? LOOK. A LITTLE NEST.
SEE IF THESE ARE FRESH.
UGH, MAN, THAT ONE IS NOT.
THAT ONE'S KIND OF ALL RIGHT.
IT'S FULL OF PROTEIN
BUT TASTES LIKE A MIX OF SALT AND FISH -- DELIGHTFUL.
TIME TO LEAVE THIS PUTRID ISLAND.
ACTUALLY, LOOK.
THERE'S A POOL OF A LITTLE WATER HERE,
AND THIS IS GONNA BE FRESH.
WE'RE WAY ABOVE THE HIGH-TIDE MARK HERE.
THE THING IS IS IT IS FULL OF BIRD DROPPINGS
AND LOOKING PRETTY FETID,
BUT IT IS WORTH COLLECTING THIS.
AND LOOK, YOU CAN JUST SEE THAT --
STINKING WATER, BUT FRESH.
AND WHEN YOU GOT REALLY LIMITED AMOUNT OF FRESHWATER AT SEA,
YOU GOT TO COLLECT EVERY DROP THAT YOU CAN.
WITH MY BOTTLE FULL, I'M DONE HERE.
GET OFF THAT GODFORSAKEN ROCK.
WHEW. AT LEAST I GOT AN EGG.
OH.
ALL TOO SOON, DARKNESS WILL FALL.
COME ON, THE SUN.
IT'S GONNA BE A LONG NIGHT.
I'M ON A RAFT IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
I'VE COLLECTED SOME FRESHWATER,
BUT IT'S FULL OF BIRD DROPPINGS, AND IT'S RANCID.
DRINK THIS,
AND YOU'D PROBABLY VOMIT AND RISK WORSENING DEHYDRATION.
BUT THERE IS A WAY OF USING IT TO GAIN LIFE-GIVING FLUIDS,
BUT ONLY AS A LAST RESORT.
I'M GONNA GIVE MYSELF AN ENEMA.
NOT EXPECTING THIS TO BE PARTICULARLY PLEASANT,
BUT THERE ARE STORIES OF THIS SAVING PEOPLE'S LIVES.
THERE'S ONE PARTICULAR FAMILY WHO WAS STRANDED IN A LIFE RAFT.
AND ALL THIS WATER HAD GATHERED IN THE BOTTOM OF IT,
WHERE THEY'D BEEN FEEDING OFF TURTLES.
IT WAS MIXED WITH TURTLE BLOOD. IT HAD GONE FETID.
AND THE ONLY WAY THEY MANAGED TO STAY HYDRATED
WAS BY USING THAT FETID WATER AND GIVING THEMSELVES AN ENEMA.
THE ROBERTSON FAMILY SURVIVED 38 DAYS ADRIFT
BECAUSE THEY WERE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO STAY ALIVE.
[ SPITS, COUGHS ]
[ GROANS ]
THE MOTHER WAS A NURSE
AND KNEW THAT THE COLON CAN ABSORB FLUID.
BY PERFORMING AN ENEMA, YOU BYPASS THE GAG REFLEX,
REHYDRATING YOUR BODY WITHOUT THE RISK OF VOMITING.
AND NOW, ONCE IT'S IN -- UGH --
I GUESS ALL YOU CAN DO IS LIE BACK
AND THINK OF ENGLAND.
THIS MUST ONLY EVER BE UNDERTAKEN AS A LAST RESORT.
PLEASE. UGH.
AS THE SUN DROPS, I FACE MY NEXT CHALLENGE --
A LONG, UNCOMFORTABLE NIGHT AT SEA.
[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]
I THINK THIS IS RANKING
AS ONE OF THE WORST NIGHTS I'VE EVER SPENT NOW.
COME ON, THE SUN.
SPENT ALL DAY CURSING THE SUN,
AND NOW WHAT I WANT IS TO SEE THE SUN.
UGH. JUST IMPOSSIBLE.
UGH.
AND IT'S KIND OF HARD TO TRY AND SLEEP SITTING UP,
BUT IT'S JUST AS HARD LYING DOWN,
GETTING COVERED IN WAVE AFTER WAVE.
WHOO!
A NEW DAY BRINGS A NEW CHALLENGE.
THERE'S ANOTHER ISLAND AHEAD.
I CAN SEE LAND OVER THERE, WHERE THE CURRENT'S TAKING ME.
BUT BETWEEN ME AND THE SANCTUARY OF THE SHORELINE
LIES SOME BIG SURF.
JUST THE WIND AND THE CURRENT ARE BLOWING ME TOWARDS --
IT'S LIKE A MOUTH OF A RIVER HERE.
TRY AND GET A GOOD, STABLE POSITION ON THIS
BEFORE THE SURF HITS.
WHOA! [ SPITS ]
ONCE OVER THE SURF, I ENTER THE RIVER.
IT'S A NATURAL HIGHWAY THROUGH THE THICK JUNGLE.
YOU SEE ALL OF THE BANKS HERE --
JUST THIS HORRIBLE JUNGLE MANGROVE --
BUT RIVERS LIKE THIS ON COASTLINES
MORE OFTEN THAN NOT WILL LEAD YOU EVENTUALLY TO PEOPLE.
SO THAT'S WHAT I'M FOLLOWING.
YOU SEE THERE'S NOT A LOT OF DEADFALL IN THE RIVER,
WHICH YOU NORMALLY GET IN THE JUNGLE,
WHICH I'M HOPING IS A GOOD SIGN.
IT MEANS MAYBE THERE ARE PEOPLE OR A VILLAGE
WHO KEEP IT OPEN AS A NAVIGABLE ROUTE THROUGH THE JUNGLE.
PANAMA AND ITS ISLANDS
ARE HOME TO THE AMERICAN CROCODILE.
GROWING UP TO A TON IN WEIGHT, THEY'RE A FORMIDABLE PREDATOR.
COASTAL JUNGLE RIVERS LIKE THIS
ALMOST INVARIABLY ARE GONNA HAVE CROCODILES IN THEM,
SO I JUST WANT TO KEEP A REALLY GOOD EYE OUT
ALONG THE BANKS AS I'M MOVING.
RECENTLY A FISHERMAN WAS DRAGGED TO HIS DEATH
NEAR HERE BY AN ENORMOUS CROC.
HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.
IT'S JUST EERILY QUIET IN THIS PLACE.
I'VE GOT TO KEEP MY EYES PEELED HERE.
LOOK. YOU SEE THAT LOG?
THAT'S OBVIOUSLY BEEN CUT DOWN, BEEN CHAIN-SAWED.
IT'S A GOOD SIGN.
IT'S BEEN CHAIN-SAWED. IT MEANS PEOPLE USE THIS RIVER.
AS I ROUND THE BEND, THERE'S A SAND BANK.
LYING ON IT ARE SEVERAL BOATS.
OKAY, LET'S GET INTO IT.
A HUNDRED YARDS INLAND, THERE'S A VILLAGE.
THIS IS MY PICKUP POINT.
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE SETTLEMENT
IS MY TICKET HOME.
THE SOUND OF THE HELICOPTER ENGINE FIRING UP
BREAKS THE SILENCE.
THAT'S MY WAY OUT OF HERE.
NOW TIME TO GO.
THIS HAS BEEN A ROLLER-COASTER RIDE.
THE CRUEL SEA TESTS A SURVIVOR PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.
THE ULTIMATE FORCE OF NATURE, IT CAN MAKE YOU FEEL SO SMALL.
BUT MY ISLAND ADVENTURE IS OVER,
AND IT'S TIME TO GO HOME.